The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-07-07
mans lines on the :. Surf" were written.

"What methods do you employ in
your literary work." is question often
asked the author wo rises to fame, and
the public is always curious for the
answer. CHANGING not long since to
have occasion to write Mr.. Philip G..
Hamerton, | embodied in my letter
the above question. The answer which
it elected is interesting:
81 think" writes Mr.. Hemerton,
- that there are two main qualities to
be kept in view in literary composition
freshness and finish. The best way,
in my opinion, OF attaining both is to
aim at freshness in the rough draft,
with little regard to perfection of ex-
preston the finish can be given by
copious subsequent correction, even to
the extent of writing all over again
when there is time. Whenever posi-
bic, | would assimilate literary to pic
torial execution by treating the rough
draft as a rapid and vigorous sketch
without any regard to the delicacy of
workmanship, then | would write from
this a second work, retaining as much
as possible the freshness of the first, but
correcting those oversights and errors
which are due to rapidity. My last
work, not yet published, The Saone;
Summer Voyage was written first
in the form of private diary, then in
very rough and rapid manuscript with
lead pencil, and from this manuscript
it was entirely rewritten for the press,
especially with view to concentration.
For one volume of Wendelhome' |
used shorthand, but found that, al
though easy to write, it could not be
read or glanced over with sufficient
ease for literary purposes. The In
tellectual Life was begun in quite a
different form mot IN letters), and
many pages were written before | con-
Cluded that it was heavy and that let
ters would give lighter and less di-
dactic appearance. 'Marmome' was
begun and remained in my desk tor
several years unfinished, when Messrs.
Roberts Bros. solicited story for their
No Name Series 'Marmome' was
taken up again and finished. The
earlier part of this novel was written
three times over. | have sometimes,
instead Of rewriting, sent a corrected
rough draft to typewriter. There is
an economy of time in this, and the
work can be reCorrected in the type
writer's copy, but on the whole, for
very carefully finished work, | think
the old plan of rewriting the whole
manuscript is superior"
A new volume of " Select Poems, -
by Algernon Charles Swinburne, has
just been issued from the presses of
Worthington Company, (747 Broad
way, N. W From a recent issue of
the London AMcnium l CLEAN the
following: "The selection is admi-
rable and is as representative as pos
sible in SO volumin0us writer. The
book is crammed with all kinds of
poetic beauties and is quite an indis-
/ pepsable possession for every lover OF
English Poetry. -
Mr.. Edgar Saltus is shortly to ap-
pear as a novelist. Messrs. Benjamin
& Bell Of this city announce a novel
by linn already in press and entitled
:. Mr.. Incoul's Msadventure. " / am
also told that the misadventure which
may or may not have befallen Mr..
Incoul is one that is frequent in French
and in Russian fiction, but which is
seldom mentioned to our politer ears
! or discussed outside of a divorce court.
! Mr.. Saltus treats the subject with the
| impartiality of a disinterested witness,
and makes the reader judge and jury,
! too. A. ROsCOWER.